Why I Love the Axis Lock

[jeepin]

There have been some great responses here and I just think it is so interesting to see the varied opinions. The Axis lock is my favorite, so far, but my only experience with that lock has been Benchmade. Who else do you guys think is doing a great job with the Axis lock that I should take a look at?

Hogue does a good Version of it.

 

[KenHash]

I like the Axis Lock because you can close it one handed without putting any part of your hand in the line of the blade path.

It may not be the "strongest" lock, and I've never had an Omega spring break, yet anyway. I'm not really concerned with lock strength since if I were doing something that it would be an issue, I'd use one of fixed blades.
I wish more manufacturers would adopt it and offer models.

 

[Steely_Gunz]

It's really grown on me over the last year or so. While something like the Triad lock is ridiculously strong, it tends to be stiff. For me, the Axis lock is nearly on par with an OTF in terms of not looking when I open my knife, making a cut, and shutting it without taking my eyes off the job. Flip, snap, cut, flip, pocket.

The omega spring breakage, for me, falls in the realm of Gun Anxiety. People will fret and worry and research and tinker because their carry piece may fail .001 of the time under some very unlikely and specific situations. "It's not the odds! It's the RISK!!!" Eh, I'll just whistle past the graveyard. I haven't broken an Omega yet, but I have a couple of kicking around here. I'll use my knife until I break one, live with it until I get home, then swap out the news ones. No biggie. If I break BOTH springs while surviving in the Amazon for 2 weeks after a plane crash, I'll just jam a stick in the lock.

My new knife will most likely be another Adamas.

 

[Steely_Gunz]

My new knife will most likely be another Adamas.

This guy is an enabler.

Stopped in at my local haunt this afternoon just to see what they had kicking around. The last time I was there all they had was the flat earth blade version which I think looks like literal dog crap (and my only gripe about the Shootout) and a combo edge. I don't MIND a combo edge on a work knife, but I don't really prefer it. Today they had this one in black on black just like my Mini.

No dialing in needed, swings open smoothly, locks up without failing spine whack test (that I think is unnecessary but we had someone losing his mind about it in a thread a couple of weeks ago), and there is zero play in any direction.

I've been wanting one of these manual versions for awhile. I like my Auto, but I'm not jazzed about how it opens using the Axis lock (doesn't feel very secure in the hand) and am really gunshy about forgetting to use the safety since I cut my finger to the bone when it opened in my pocket after I neglected to lock it shut.

I still think the Mini punches well above it's weight and I plan on carrying it where a larger knife might be frowned upon, or I may just see if my daughter wants to have it.

 

[Sibyrnes]

This guy is an enabler.

Stopped in at my local haunt this afternoon just to see what they had kicking around. The last time I was there all they had was the flat earth blade version which I think looks like literal dog crap (and my only gripe about the Shootout) and a combo edge. I don't MIND a combo edge on a work knife, but I don't really prefer it. Today they had this one in black on black just like my Mini.

No dialing in needed, swings open smoothly, locks up without failing spine whack test (that I think is unnecessary but we had someone losing his mind about it in a thread a couple of weeks ago), and there is zero play in any direction.

I've been wanting one of these manual versions for awhile. I like my Auto, but I'm not jazzed about how it opens using the Axis lock (doesn't feel very secure in the hand) and am really gunshy about forgetting to use the safety since I cut my finger to the bone when it opened in my pocket after I neglected to lock it shut.

I still think the Mini punches well above it's weight and I plan on carrying it where a larger knife might be frowned upon, or I may just see if my daughter wants to have it.

I got one just like that in D2 steel. Quite a knife!

 

[Steely_Gunz]

I think Benchmade D2 is really solid. I have a Claymore in it, and it's held up really well as a beater/work knife. I definitely prefer Cruwear as it may be my favorite "new" steel to come out in some time. However, D2 is no slouch

 

[ChazzyP]

The axis lock is ok. I was one of those “I’ve never had an omega spring break” guys until a couple weeks ago. I had an omega spring break…stupid axis lock…

Well, you jinxed yourself, S&F. I refuse to do the same, unless of course I just did.

This thing about break-in, though.... I hardly ever had any new knife that didn't require at least some break-in. Some really just a few openings and they're good to go, some a day or two, and others a more protracted period. For me, most AXIS knives present with just a little lock stick, particularly when closing, though I never really pull the bar back and roll to open. A couple have retained just the tiniest grab when releasing, but really nothing of any consequence.

...and back to the Omega spring thing, almost all the time my habit has me pulling back on both sides of the bar to release the lock. I do think that sharing the load equally on both springs reduces the strain on each and increases durability. That, and avoiding getting or leaving them wet.

 

[tomsch]

If you want a great executed AXIS/Crossbar lock take a look at https://kunwuknives.com/. They are the next level above BM.

 

[master_nylo]

I had an omega spring break a couple of times. Apart from that I really the concept of the bar lock.

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

Well, you jinxed yourself, S&F. I refuse to do the same, unless of course I just did.

This thing about break-in, though.... I hardly ever had any new knife that didn't require at least some break-in. Some really just a few openings and they're good to go, some a day or two, and others a more protracted period. For me, most AXIS knives present with just a little lock stick, particularly when closing, though I never really pull the bar back and roll to open. A couple have retained just the tiniest grab when releasing, but really nothing of any consequence.

...and back to the Omega spring thing, almost all the time my habit has me pulling back on both sides of the bar to release the lock. I do think that sharing the load equally on both springs reduces the strain on each and increases durability. That, and avoiding getting or leaving them wet.

I agree. I use both thumb and index finger to close. I think my “haha” post was taken the wrong way by some…maybe…possibly.

On the plus side, I have enough omega springs for a lifetime now!

The axis lock is not a bad lock that is for sure. It’s just “ok” for me. Mind you, I only have the bugout with an axis lock, so when I carry a BM with axis lock, it’s always the same one.

I have no axis rotation, so to speak.